Pneumatic dispatch system



June 19, 1934. c. T. CUTTING 1,963,779

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed 0G12. 28, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l LL-mm V/ A lmLr Y (u /f 7 077'/ yMM June 19, 1934. Q T CUTTlNG 3,963,779

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed OC'U. 28, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 19, 1934 c. T. CUTTING PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed Oct. 28, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 19, 1934. Q T, CUT-UNG PNEUMATIG DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed Oct. 28. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 (bye/Z farf/ a dy' www Hq [In June 19, 1934.

C. T. CUTTING PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Filed Oct. 28, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 /A/ Vf/V 70,2 Me Kan/V@ @WMMWQMV Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED As'rires 1,963,779 PNEUMATIC DISPATCH SYSTEM Clark T. Cutting, Syracuse, yN. Y., assigner to The Lamscn Company, Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation cf Massachusetts Application October 28, 1931, Serial NdA-571,478 1c claims. (o1. 243-19) This invention relates to an improvement in a pneumatic dispatch system, and more particularly to such system in which the carriers remain at all times Within the system, as set forth for example in the copending application oi Chester S. Jennings, Serial No. 569,156, led October 16, 1931, the present invention being a further development of the invention on which such application is based.

The objects of this invention are to provide in a pneumatic dispatch system, oval tubes and correspondingly formed carriers whereby the carriers are maintained in a fixed relation to the tubes and terminals so that the carriers are always in l5 the access position at the terminals; control means by which the carriers are dispatched from the terminals; means at each terminal to indicate the arrival of a carrier thereat; means whereby the travel of the carriers in either direction may be controlled at one terminal; and other features which will appear from a consideration of the following description and of the drawings which form a part'thereof and in which:

Fig. l is a view illustrating diagrammatically a system embodying one form of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts broken away of the terminals at one end of the tubes;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of such terminals;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken alon the lines 4-4 and 5-5 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view partially in section illustrating a detail of such terminal;

Fig. 'l is a side elevation and Fig. 8 is a plan View, with parts broken away, of a terminal at the other end of a tube; Y

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of such terminal;

Fig. l0 is a side elevation and Fig. 11 a plan view of another form of terminal which might be employed in this invention;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken along'the line 12-12 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a rear elevation of a portion of such terminal;

Fig. 14 is a side elevation with parts broken away of a carrier adapted for use in the illustrated system and the tube thereof; and

Fig. 15 is an end elevation of a carrier in the tube.

One use of this invention is in a bus or other vehicle, and accordingly I have elected to show in the drawings and will describe an embodiment thereof adapted for this purpose, it beingunderstood, however, that this embodiment has been chosen for the purpose of illustration only and not of limitation.

As shown in the drawings, the system adapted to be installed in a motor'bus comprises two tubes 20, each tube'connecting a terrninal21 with a terminal 22. When used in a bus the terminals 21 will be at the drlvers station and the terminals 60. 22 will each Vbe at a passengers station. Accordingly, for ease in differentiation and description, the terminals 2l will hereinafter beY defined as drivers terminals and the terminals 22 dened as passengers terminals. While only two tubes 6.5. 20 are here shown, it is of course obvious that this numberrmay be increased or diminished as desired.

The tubes 20 are each oval in cross section (see Fig. 15) and the carriers 25 which travel therein 7.0l are similarly formed so that they are prevented from rotating and remain at allltimes in. the same plane. As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the carrier comprises a hollow body member 26, having an opening 2'7 in one side, and end walls v28, '15l the latter having Va periphery which conforms to contour of the tube (see Fig. 15). f l

The terminals 21 at the drivers station'are identical in construction and operation as are the terminals 22 at the passengers stations. One 80 only of each terminal 21 and 22 will therefore be described in detail. l

The drivers station has in the elected embodiment two terminals 21 mounted upon the wall of the bus one above the other. Each'terminal 85 comprises a Vpair of spaced cylindrical .tubes 30,

31 mounted at the ends of a tube 32, of which the outer periphery is .circular while the inner. periphery is oval to form arl-extension ofthe tube 20 which enters `the tube 30 and isV secured 9.0 therein in any suitable way in abutment with the end of the tube 32. The tube V32 has an opening/33 in one side thereof with which the carrier opening 27 registers when the carrier is in the terminal. In the opposite sideof the tube 95 32 are provided a plurality of vent apertures 34 for a purpose to be described later. l

Surrounding the portion of the tube 32 be. tween the tubes and 31 is a rotatable sleeve or cover 35 which has an opening 36 which may 100 be brought into register with the opening 33, and holes 37 which may be brought into register with the apertures 34. A handle 38 on the cover facilitates its rotation and its travel is limited by a pin 39 carried by the tube 32 which enters 10.5 a notch 40 formed in one edge of the cover.

. The outer end of the tube 32 -is'closed by a disk 44 of felt or similar material whichreceives the impact of the carrier and isbacked by a block 45 xedin thetube 31. The outer end 110 of the tube 31 is closed by a plate 46, the block and plate thus dening the ends of a compartment in which is mounted an air valve 47 of any well known construction. The interior of the valve 47 is connected by a pipe 48 to an air line to be described later, and to the interior of the tube 32 bya thimble 49 which passes through the block `and disk 44. The valve 47 includes a piston or similar element (not shown) which normally closes the end of the pipe 48 and cuts off the connection between the terminal and .the air line. A plunger 50 for operating the valve element, projects through a hole 51 in fthe tube 31 into a chamber 52 formed by a casing ,53 removably secured to the .tubes Y3.0, 3.1. Pivoted between ears 54 projecting into the chamber L52 from the tube 31 is a lever 55, one end of which rests upon the head of'the plu-nger v50. The

other end of the lever is yieldably held in contact with the cover 35 by spring means, as for example an Lexpansionspring 56 seated in `depressions in the lever v and fin :a rod -60 The rod :60 is xed iat Vone end in ;a -blockl carried :by Y:the `,ears 54 Aand supported at the other 'end .by the inner end wall of the casing 53. A camlike projection 62 carried yby the cover 35 engages .the lever 55 as the ,cover :is moved into the closed position shown in :the `upper terminal of Fig. 4, and causes :the iever '5,5 to depress the plunger '50 and -open the valve 47. A notch 63 in the projection 62 receives the end of the lever and thus yieldably holds the `cover in the proper -position so that the holes 37 therein register with .the apertures `34 (see. Fig. y4) ,to provide outlet means through whichair in the tube may escape to 'the atmosphere. When the cover 35 is closed the notch 63 is first carried beyond the lever 55 so that the holes 37 are .out of register with the apertures 34, and in .order to return lthe cover to t lthe position shown in Fig. 4, there is provided upon .the .cover a tongue '615 which engages one end of a, spring 66 coiled around .the rod 60. The spring 66 is secured vat .one end to a collar167 xed to the rod and rests, adjacent the end engaged by the tongue 66, upon a 1ringer 68 carried by a collar 69 Yalso xed upon the rod. It will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 4 that when the notch 63 is vcarried by the .closure of the cover beyond lthe lever 55, ,the tongue165 will put the spring 66 under tension, and as soon as the handle 38 is. released the spring will return the sleeve to the closed position shown in Fig. 4, with the apertures 34 and holes 37 in register.

As a signal to advise the driver of thearrival of a carrier, a bell 70 mounted upon the tube 31 is provided. The bell is struck by a hammer 71 mounted upon a rod 72 carried by a lever 73 pivotally mounted upon the valve 47. Reciprocaliy supported in the block. 45 behind the disk 44 is a pin 7.5, the forward end of Which extends beyond the face of the disk 44 and isstruck by the carrier upon its arrival. The arm 76 of the lever 73 is held in .Contact with the head 77 of the pin by a spring 78 secured at one end toa pin y79 on the lever and at the other end to a bracket .80 carried bythe valve. It will be noted that advantage has here been taken of the hexagonal form of the ends of the valve to position the lever and'bracket. e

The passengers terminals 22 (see Figs. 7, 8 and 9) correspond substantially with the drivers terminals 21, and accordingly will not be described in detail, it being understood that the parts designated by the primes of numerals correspond to the parts of the drivers terminal by the same numerals. It is, however, desired that the covers 35' of the passengers terminal remain closed under normal conditions, and accordingly a spring 90 is coiled around the tube 30', one end of the spring being secured to the tube and the other end secured to the sleeve 35'. An annular casing 91 surrounds the spring asrshown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.A

It is desired that the carriers be transported in both directions by air pressure, which in the present instance is provided by an air line 100 at the drivers station to which air is supplied under pressure by a suitable blower or pressure tank B (see Fig. l). A valve 101 is inserted in the air lin-e Ito -con-trol the supply. The line 100 is connected -to the pipes 48 of the terminals 21 by a pipe 103, and tothe pipes 49 of the terminals 2 by a pipe 104 leading from the pipe 103.

.If va passenger desires to dispatch money to the driver for change or tickets, he raises the normally Vclosed cover 35 of the nearest terminal and inserts the money in the carrier` thereat; When `the cover is closed `the -lever 55' depresses :the plunger 50 `or theterminal valve 47vl and sets -up a flow .of air from the main line 100-through pipes 103, 1504 and148, by which the carrierv is transported through the tube 20 tothe drivers :terminal 2l. The cover 35 of the drivers termiw nal will be either open or closed, and the air 1 in front ,of the carrier will escape either through the opening 36 or the registered apertures-Manci holes 37, depending upon the position of the cover. Upon its arrival the carrier strikes the pin and causes the hammer 71 to strike the bell 70.'. The driver then opens the :cover 35, replaces the money with the proper change or tickets, and closes the cover 35, whereupon the carrier is .dispatched to the terminal 22 by the 110W of air from main line 100 through pipes 103, 49, the vclosure of the cover opening the valve 47. The carriers are normally at the passengers terminals 22 but conditions may ariseunder which a carrier should be at a drivers terminal V21. ;In order to permit this control by the driver, a pipe 105 is pro-vided, which pipe is connected at one end to the pipe 103., The pipe 105 is also connected to each terminal 22 by a pipe 106, which includes a valve 107 at the drivers terminal. The valve 107 is normally closed but may be opened by depressing a plunger 108 so that the driver can bring to a terminal 21 a carrier then at the terminal 22 associated with the terminal 21.

In place lof the terminals including a. rotatable cover andautomatic means for setting up a ow of air through the system, as abovey described, the formnf terminal disclosed in Figs. 10 to 13 inclusive may be substituted. In the `drawings are shown only substitutes for the drivers terminals 21, but it will be understood that the passengers terminal may be replaced by similar terminals; in other words, the various terminals may be sim-'1 ilar or there may be in the same system both types of terminals if desired. The terminal 110 shown in the. drawings is formed by an oval extension 111 of the oval transf;`

sage 116 through the center and a transverse passage 117. The passage 116-at one sideof the passage 117 is continued rthrough a felt disk or bumper 118 secured to the inner end of the block 115 to the interior of the tube extension 111, and l@ lfro at the other side is connected through the end wall to the main air line tobe described later. leciprocable in the'transverse passage '117 is a valve opening plunger 121),y which normally closes the passage 116. A recessed portion A121 of the plunger is held normally out of thepassage 116 by aspring 122, and the plunger terminates at the forward end in a button 123, by which it can be advanced to open the passage 116.

The opening 112 is controlled by` a sleeve or cover 125 slidable over the extension 111 between collars 126, 127 secured to the extension. 4In the rear Wall of the extension 111 is'formed an' opening 130 which provides an outlet through which air in the terminal can escape to the atmosphere. Pivotally mounted upon a bracket 131 is a spring strip 132, to one end of which is secured a disk,

133 adapted in one position to bear uponthe extension 111 and sealthe opening 130. The other end of the strip 132 is lattached to the inner end of the plunger 120 so that the opening 130 is closed when the plunger is depressed to open the passage 116. A notch 134 in the cover permits the disk 133 to seal the opening 13G when the cover is closed.- Fixed to the block 115 and extending past the disk 118, is a spring clip 135 which, when the carriery is in the terminal, engages one end wall thereof to hold the carrier in that position in Vwhich the opening 2'7 registers with the opening 112fin the extension. The tubes 20 may be separated by a block 137 and held in contact with the block by a strap 138. Air from the main line is fed by a pipe 140 to the passages 116 of the drivers terminals, and by the pipe 140 and a pipe 141 to the passengers terminals.

The operation of the system having such terminals is believed to be'fapparent from the above description, and hence .will merely be set forth'ln brief When a carrier is to be dispatched from a terminal the cover 125 is closed and the button ing 27 therein is in register with the opening 112 and the contents can be removed upon opening the cover 125.

f It will be noted that the contour of the tubes 20 and their extensions at the terminals and the contours of the carriers are such that the-carriers at all 'times retain the samev relation to the tubes and extensions, and consequently theopenings in the side Walls of the carriers register with the openings in the tube extensions at the terminals; that an escape opening to the atmosphere from each extension is provided, whether the terminal covers be open or closed, at the terminal to which a carrier is dispatched, and that the dispatch of a carrier from each terminal is, of necessity, ac-

` l companied by the closure of such escape opening except in the unusual situation Where the driver dispatches a carrierfrcm apassengers terminal. While one embodiment of this invention in a pneumatic dispatch system and two forms of terminals therefor have been shown `and described, it will be understood that I amnot limited thereto', and that other embodiments and'orms can bemade without' departing from thev spirit and scope of the invention as set 'forth' inthe following claims. l Y

,claimg. .f

1. Ina pneumatic dispatchsystemV including a transit tube non-circular in crossv section, a carrier of complementary conformation having an opening thereinand reciprocable iii-said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an'extension 'ofthe transit tube inwhich eX- tension the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when thejlatter is in the terminal, and a coversurrounding said tube 'extension and movable vthereover relative to the opening therein for closing or opening the same. 2. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a transit tube non-circular in cross section, acari rier of vcornplernentary conformation having-an opening Ytl'ierein and reciprocable 'in tube, terminals connected` by vsaid tube, each terminal including an extension Iof the transit Atube vin which extension the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening there'- in which registers with the carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, and a cover surroundingV said "tube extension andA slidable ther'eover relativeto the opening therein for closing or opening the same. l f

l3. In a pneumatic dispatchsystemincluding-a transit tube non-circular in cross section, a carrier of complementary conformationhaving an opening therein-and reciprocable in said tube", terminals connected by said tube, each terminal includ-` ing an extension of the transit tube in `which extension the carrier rests when at saidterminal, saidextension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when ther latter is in the terminal, and a cover surrounding said tube extension and rotatable about said extension; said cover having an opening therein which may be brought by such rotation'intofregistry with the opening in the extension.V l v 4. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a transit tube' non-'circularin cross section, al carrier of complementary'conformation having an opening therein vand 'reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including' ,an extension of the transit 'tubefin' which extension the' carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with thel carrier opening'whenv the latter i's in theterminal, and a cover lsurrounding said tube extension and slid'able longitudinally thereoverrelative to the opening therein for closing or opening the same.' v 5. In apn'e'umatic dispatchfs'ystem including a transit tube, Vav carrier having an opening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tubefeach terminal including'an extension of the transit tube in which extension the carrier' rests whenat said terminaL` said extension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, an outlet through which air in the tube escapes, a cover f or closingsa'id opening independent of said escape outlet, yieldable means for holding the cover in such position, and means forV setting ist a flow of transporting air against one end'offthe carrier in the terminal for dispatching the carrier therefrom.

6. In a pneumatic dispatch Vsystem including a transit tube, a carrier having an opening 'y therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an'exterision of the transittube in whiehe'xtension the' carrier rests when'at said terminaLfs'aid extensionv having cover rotatable about said tube extension and through which, When open, a flow of transportan opening therein which registers WithV the carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, an outlet through which air in the ,tube escapes, a cover for closing said opening independent of said escape outlet, yieldable means for `holding the cover inv such position, and means fory closing ,said outlet 'and simultaneously setting up a flow of transporting air against one end of the `carrier in the terminal for dispatching the carrier therefrom. f v

7. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a transit tube, a carrier having an opening therein and reoiprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an extension of the transit tube in which extension the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension `having anA opening therein Which registers with they carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, an' outlet through which air in the tubeescapes, a cover for closing said opening and escape outlet, a valve in the terminal through which, when open, a flow of transporting airis directed against one end of the carrier in the terminal to dispatch the carrier therefrom, means actuated by the cover during its closing movement Yfor opening said valve, and means for thereafterr shifting said cover into a position in lwhich the opening only is closed, the .escape outletbeing open.

8. In a pneumatic dispatch system includinga transit tube, a carrier having an opening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an extension of the transit tube in which extension the carrier rests When at said terminal, said eXtension having an opening therein Which registers With the` carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, an outlet through which air in the tube escapes, a cover for closing said opening and escape outlet, .a valve in the terminal ing` air is directed against one endY ofthe carrier in the terminal to .dispatch the carrier therefrom, means actuated by the cover during `its closing movement for opening said valve, and means for thereafter shifting said coverinto a position in which the opening only is closed, the Iescape outlet being open, and for permitting saidcover actuated means to shift from the valve opening .po-

sition. v

9. In a pneumatic .dispatch system including a transit tube, a carrier having an lopening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including anextension 0f the transit tube in which extension. the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when the'latter is in the terminal, an outlet through which air in the tube escapes, said outlet .comprising a plurality ofapertures, a

havingholes Whichin one position register With said apertures, a valve in theterminal through` which, when open, a iiovv of vtransporting air is directed against one end ofthe carrier in vthe terminal toY dispatch the carrier therefrom, and .means, actuated by the rotation of the cover out of the position fin Whichthe holes register with the apertures of the escape'outlet, for .opening said valve.. Y 'fr v 10. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a` transit tube, a carrier having an .opening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals .connected by said tube, .each terminalincluding an extension Q f the transittube in which extension the4 carrier rests when .at said terminal, s aidex-tension-having an Opening thereinwhich registerslwiththe carrier-opening -Whenthe vlatter is'in the termi'- nal, an outlet throughfwhich air in the tube escapes, said outlet comprising a plurality of .apertures, a Icover yrotatable about `.said tube extension and having holes which inone positionregister with; said apertures, a valve `in the terminal through which, when openya ow of transporting air is directed against one end of the carrier in the terminal to` dispatch the carrier therefrom, means, actuated by the rotation of the cover out: ofthe position in which the holes register with the apertures of the escapeoutlet, for opening said valve, and'means for restoring said cover into the hole registering position and releasing thecover act-uated-valve opening means.

11. In a pneumatic dispatch-system including a transit tube, a carrier having an opening therein a 110W of'transp'orting air is directedY against one end vof .thecarrier inthe terminal to dispatch the carrier therefrom, meansfor opening-said valve, and a cam-like projection on said cover which, When the cover is rotated, engages and actuates said valve opening means. y

n 12. Ina pneumatic dispatch system including atransit tube, a-carrier having an opening therein and reciprocable .in said tube, terminals .con-

nected bysai'dkv tube, each terminal including ,an

extension f the transit tube in which extension the carrier rests when at said terminal., said extension having an opening therein `which registers With the carrier opening when the latter is in thet'erminal, anoutlet through which air inthe tube escapes, a cover rotatable about said tube extension and having an opening therein which registers With lsaid outlet, when the opening in `the extension is closed bythe cover, a valve in the terminal through Which, when open, a flow of transporting airis directedagainst one end ofthe carrier in the terminal to dispatch the carrier therefrom, means for opening said val-ve, a cam-like projection on said cover, which; when the vcover is' rotated, engages and actuates said valve operating means, said projection having a notch therein, a tongue projecting `from saidcover, :and y-ieldabley means which engage said tongue, when vthel cover isy rotated into a valve 'A opening position, beyond .the registering position,and restore the cover to the registering position,`fat"vvhich position the valve vopeningmeans enters said notch.

V13. In a pneumatic ldispatch system including a transit tube, a carrier having-an opening therein and reciprocable in said.V tube, terminals connected vby said` tube, each terminal including an extension ofv the transittube in which extension the .carrier rests when lat said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with the, carrier openingr when the latter is Vin thelterminal, .an outlet through which airV in the tube escapes, a cover for the ,Opening ico surrounding said tube and slidable longitudinally thereover, a notch in said cover Which, when the cover is in the opening closing position, permits said outlet to remain open, a valve in said terminal through which, when open, a flow of transporting air is directed against one end of the carrier in the terminal to dispatch the carrier therefrom, means for opening said valve, and means for closing said outlet, said last-named means being moved into closing position by said valve opening means.

14. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a transit tube, a carrier having an opening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an extension of the transit tube in which extension the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, an outlet through which air in the tube escapes, a cover for the opening surroundingr said tube and slidable longitudinally thereover, a notch in said cover which, when the cover is in the opening closing position, permits said outlet to remain open, a valve in said terminal through which, when open, a flow of transporting air is directed against one end of the carrier in the terminal to dispatch the carrier therefrom, means 'for opening said valve, means for closing said outlet, said last-named means being moved into closing position by said Valve opening means and comprising a spring strip pivoted upon the terminal, and a disk at one end of the strip by which the outlet is closed,

the other end of said strip being attached to said valve opening means and moved pivotally v thereby.

15. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a transit tube, a carrier having an opening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an extension of the transit tube in which extension the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when the latter in the terminal, a bumper to receive the carrier at the terminal, a signal at said terminal actuated by the carrier upon its arrival at the bumper, and a cover surrounding said extension to close the opening therein.

16. In a pneumatic dispatch system including a transit tube, a carrier having an opening therein and reciprocable in said tube, terminals connected by said tube, each terminal including an extension of the transit tube in which extension the carrier rests when at said terminal, said extension having an opening therein which registers with the carrier opening when the latter is in the terminal, a bumper to receive the carrier 190 at the terminal, a signal at said terminal actuated by the carrier upon its arrival at the bumper, said signal including a pin projecting beyond the bumper and reciprocable in a passage therethrough, which pin is struck and reciprocated 

